Chris Brunt backs mates to win 'six-pointer'

The trip to St James's Park is the first of potentially four straight away games for the Baggies, who face Peterborough in an FA Cup fourth-round replay on Wednesday before going to Everton on Saturday week.

Boss Tony Pulis is without several players, including Brunt, who is yet to shake off a calf problem.

Defender Jonny Evans (hamstring) has also been ruled out along with long-term absentees James Morrison and Callum McManaman.

But Brunt is confident others can step up to fill the breach.

"We have a few players in the squad who have not had much game time this year," he said. "I'm sure they'll be champing at the bit to get a game. Hopefully we can get the week off to a good start with a win."

The hosts are currently rooted in the bottom three and Albion could open up an 11-point cushion over the drop zone with a win.

"It is important we keep them down below us," said Brunt, who met with supporters at The Hawthorns yesterday as part of the '300 Club' book launch.

He went on: "It has been a strange season but for us to have 29 points at the end of January is a good base. The last couple of seasons we have not had anywhere near that at this stage.

"Obviously the teams below us have spent a few quid and are having a bit of a go to push up the league.

"It is important we keep plodding away and get the points we need."

Goalkeeper Ben Foster is meanwhile expecting Albion to face a barrage from the Magpies, who spent more than £30million during the January transfer window.

"It's as a huge one for them," said Foster. "It's a six-pointer and it makes it interesting. They know what they're going to get from us so we'll see if the new signings they've made can fit in."